--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are many things I can do, but I…" description: "\"There are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it down to the one thing I must do. The secret of concentration is elimination.\" — Andy Stanley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/andy-stanley-737_can-do_there-are-many-things-i-can-do-but-i-hav_1508480.png" --- # There are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it… ![“There are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it down to the one thing I must do. The secret of concentration is elimination.” quote by Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/andy-stanley-737_can-do_there-are-many-things-i-can-do-but-i-hav_1508480.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/andy-stanley-737_can-do_there-are-many-things-i-can-do-but-i-hav_1508480.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/andy-stanley-737_can-do_there-are-many-things-i-can-do-but-i-hav_1508480.png) > “There are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it down to the one thing I must do. The secret of concentration is elimination.” [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective focus comes from eliminating distractions, allowing one to concentrate on the single most important task. **In simple terms:** Focus is achieved by removing other tasks. Key Takeaway Eliminate distractions to concentrate. Themes productivity focus prioritization Mood determined focused Type practical motivational When to use this quote - work projects - study sessions - goal setting Key Concepts elimination single‑tasking mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What can you remove to improve focus? - How do you handle unavoidable interruptions? A Different Perspective Elimination may be impractical when multiple responsibilities exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concentration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) ## Related quotes > [The secret to concentration is elimination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-g-hendricks/the-secret-to-concentration-is-elimination/) [Howard G. Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-g-hendricks/) > [The secret of concentration is the secret of self-discovery. You reach inside yourself to discover your personal resources, and what it takes to match…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/the-secret-of-concentration-is-the-secret-of-self-discovery-you-reach/) [Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/) > [Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-thing-secret-degenerates-even-the-administration-of-justice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Now everybody knows about this thing that's my secret. It was my thing, the music I turned to when I was alone and needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/now-everybody-knows-about-this-thing-that-s-my-secret-it-was-my-thing/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [The good thing about a secret is that women dont know what a secret is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-good-thing-about-a-secret-is-that-women-dont-know-what-a-secret-is/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [You can want one thing and have a secret wish for its opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/you-can-want-one-thing-and-have-a-secret-wish-for-its-opposite/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [“There is really no such thing as a secret; everybody likes to tell, and everybody does tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/there-is-really-no-such-thing-as-a-secret-everybody-likes-to-tell-and/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Secrets are the blood of life. Every big thing is a secret, even when you know it, because you never know all of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/secrets-are-the-blood-of-life-every-big-thing-is-a-secret-even-when/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [A good thing done in secret is very powerful and a bad thing done in secret is very destructive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/a-good-thing-done-in-secret-is-very-powerful-and-a-bad-thing-done-in/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [“There is no such thing as a secret—not really, not in the modern world, not with photography and telegraphy and railways and newspaper presses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-secret-not-really-not-in-the-modern-world/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) > [The thing about me is that my secret passion is history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bobin/the-thing-about-me-is-that-my-secret-passion-is-history/) [James Bobin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bobin/) > [You can do only one thing at a time. I simply tackle one problem and concentrate all efforts on what I am doing at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/you-can-do-only-one-thing-at-a-time-i-simply-tackle-one-problem-and/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Maybe that will happen with other countries as well. And so, that's why one of the things that groups like mine that work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/maybe-that-will-happen-with-other-countries-as-well-and-so-that-s-why/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) ## More by Andy Stanley > [Somehow, what's in our hearts, good or bad is eventually translated into words and deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/somehow-what-s-in-our-hearts-good-or-bad-is-eventually-translated/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [We are not all leaders. We are called leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/we-are-not-all-leaders-we-are-called-leaders/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Preachers prepare with this fear: 'Am I going to be able to fill the time?' The audience never worries about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/preachers-prepare-with-this-fear-am-i-going-to-be-able-to-fill-the/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [If it suddenly became impossible for us to cover up all the junk we normally hide from the rest of humanity, I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/if-it-suddenly-became-impossible-for-us-to-cover-up-all-the-junk-we/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [The greatest thing you do as a leader may not be what you do as a leader but who watches you do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/the-greatest-thing-you-do-as-a-leader-may-not-be-what-you-do-as-a/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [“right standing with God comes through faith in the promises of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/right-standing-with-god-comes-through-faith-in-the-promises-of-god/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [People pray in one direction but they walk in a different direction, and direction always determines where we end up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/people-pray-in-one-direction-but-they-walk-in-a-different-direction/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [The God of Christianity never claims to be fair. He goes beyond fair. The Bible teaches that he decided not to give us what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/the-god-of-christianity-never-claims-to-be-fair-he-goes-beyond-fair/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Any fear associated with giving to God's kingdom is irrational. It's on par with a farmer who, out of fear of losing his seed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/any-fear-associated-with-giving-to-god-s-kingdom-is-irrational-it-s/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [We rob ourselves when we make decisions in the moment with no thought of how those decisions will impact our futures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/we-rob-ourselves-when-we-make-decisions-in-the-moment-with-no-thought/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [“In the critical arenas of life, you cannot make up for lost time. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/in-the-critical-arenas-of-life-you-cannot-make-up-for-lost-time-as/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [I've talked to many individuals who want to discuss their problems. But they don't really have problems. They have chosen to live in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/i-ve-talked-to-many-individuals-who-want-to-discuss-their-problems/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [I can't make people fall in love with Jesus, but I can arrange dates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/i-can-t-make-people-fall-in-love-with-jesus-but-i-can-arrange-dates/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [A leader is someone who has the courage to say publicly what everybody else is whispering privately. It is not his insight that sets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/a-leader-is-someone-who-has-the-courage-to-say-publicly-what/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/when-your-memories-exceed-your-dreams-the-end-is-near/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) [Explore all 386 Andy Stanley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) ## More Can do quotes > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/) > [Anybody can be Prince Charming one day a year, with the dinner and the flowers and all that. But you know what impresses me?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-howard/anybody-can-be-prince-charming-one-day-a-year-with-the-dinner-and-the/) [Ryan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-howard/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The amount of things you can do with a kettlebell is unsurpassed by any other training equipment - dumbbells, resistance machines, free weights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-amount-of-things-you-can-do-with-a-kettlebell-is-unsurpassed-by/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [It's nice when you've done enough movies that you can do your own anthology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/it-s-nice-when-you-ve-done-enough-movies-that-you-can-do-your-own/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [If people don't have their own vision, all they can do is 'sign-up' for someone else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/if-people-don-t-have-their-own-vision-all-they-can-do-is-sign-up-for/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [The one thing that flies in the face of all human history and experience, is that the government can do a superior job than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/the-one-thing-that-flies-in-the-face-of-all-human-history-and/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [...what I can do is offer myself, wholehearted and present, to walk with the people I love through the fear and the mess. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/what-i-can-do-is-offer-myself-wholehearted-and-present-to-walk-with/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a man who can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/a-professional-is-a-man-who-can-do-his-job-when-he-doesn-t-feel-like/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [I'm not an educated man. I only know what I'm told, and I'm not told that much; I have no frame of reference for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-m-not-an-educated-man-i-only-know-what-i-m-told-and-i-m-not-told/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) Browse all 5,673 Can do quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it down to the one thing I must do. 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